Method of and apparatus for applying nuts to candy bars



May 21, 1935. F. A. MARTOCCIO 2,002,013

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING NUTS TO CANDY BARS Filed Jan. 7, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 7 5 1F: 5 74 1 I I la M 5 J G 9 z Hm a w 1 5 8 W 2 2 "J 1 1 1 Hm 1 1 0 1 W ml 1 k I] 1 5- 6 Frank A. Martoccio f Wm Q 1 in GI 6 5 mm H. s 1w 1 m WE WM =2, MM .alqi m G B Y\\\ a 6 o 2 D e c ,7 u .C 2 o 4 8 12 4/1 10 f m 6 :1 n J 4 "NW, zl F w 7 2 7 5%. f "1; 7 M5? .M &. $00 M 9 efimwig x m w Q w 1, a W m. C m 1 May 21, 1935.' F. A. MARTOCCIO 2,002,018

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING NUTS TO CANDY BARS Filed Jan. 7, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet s amen tot Frank A. Martoccio y 1935- F. A. MARTOCCIO 2,002,018

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING NUTS TO CANDY BARS Filed Jan. 7, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 7 13a D84 -37 100 85 4 8 92 150 I 53 F 9 9 7 95 155 grvuenkoz 7 A Frank A Martoccio Patented May 21, 1935 PATENT o1=1=1cE 1 METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR APPLY- ING NUTS TO CANDYIBARS Frank A.-Martoccio, Minneapolis, Minn.

Application, January 7,

15 Claims.

invention relates to the method'of and apparatus for applying nuts to candy bars.

1. An object'of the invention resides in providing a method and an apparatus whereby the application of the nuts may be rendered positive and maintained under control and whereby economy in time and material can be effected.

An object of the invention resides in providing aimethodof applyingnutsto candy bars which 1 consists in first, coating, the nuts with a suitable coating such as chocolate or-the like and in thereafter applying the nuts to the candy bars.

1 Another object of the invention resides in coating; the nuts before applying the same to the coated v candy bars.

A still further object of the invention resides in coating the candy bars with the same coating and in'applyingthe, nuts thereto before either coating becomes finally set.

w An objectof the invention resides in providing an apparatus whereby; the method may be expeditiously and efiectively carried out. 1 Another object resides in providing an apparatus which can be used in conjunctionwith an ordinary. enrobing machine.

A stillxfurther object of the invention resides in providing a conveyor for carrying thecandy'bars from-the enrobingmachine.and in timing the operation oflmynut applying apparatus tocause the applicationof .the nuts to the: candy bars as the same are progressed by theconveyor.

. An object of the invention resides in providing a cylinder having pockets therein for the reception of the. nuts and in providing means for rotating said cylinderat a speed proportional to the 1 rate of travel of the conveyor.

v1.Another object of the invention resides in providing a nut feeding device for feeding measured quantities of. the nuts into said pockets.

1 A: still further object of the invention resides in providing a chocolate feeding device for applying a coating: of chocolate to the nuts while in .the pockets.

A feature of the invention resides in constructing the nut feeding device and the pockets in the 1932, Serial No. 585,191

leveling of the nuts within the pockets of the roller as the same are filled with nuts from the nut hopper.

. An object of the invention resides in providing a reclaiming device for removing the surplus chocolate applied to the nuts.

Another object of the invention resides in constructing the nut applying device with; a main frame along which the conveyor travels andiin further constructing thesame with an auxiliary frame adjustable relative thereto for varying the height between the cylinder and conveyor to accommodate different heights of candy bars.

An object of the invention resides in constructing the apparatus with a case in which the various parts are disposed and in providing within the-case heating means for maintaining the coating material liquid.

Other objects of the invention reside in the novelcombination of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter illustrated and/or described.

In the drawings:

- Fig.1 is an end elevational view of an apparatus illustrating an embodiment. of my invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal, sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a cross sectionallview taken on line 3--3 of Fig. 2. 1

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view, similar to Fig. 3 showingthe parts in relatively altered position. Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view takenon-line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially on line 6--6 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the invention with parts broken away to show the interior construe-:- tion thereof.

Fig. 8 is a cross sectional .view taken on line 8-8 of. Fig. 6.

:Fig. 9 is a fragmentaryucross sectional'view taken through the adjusting mechanism for the nut feeding device.

Fig.. 10 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the ejecting mechanism of the invention. Fig. 11 is an elevational detail view of the vibrating mechanism of the invention.

- *In the -application of nuts and other similar edibles to coated candy bars, considerable dim oulty has been encountered in applying the nuts directly to the same. The present invention provides a machine and amethod whereby plain or coated nuts and'other similar edibles may be readilyand'automatically applied to the candy and-causedto remain permanently thereon.

In the following description of my method and apparatus, for the sake of convenience, I only refer to the edible applied to the candy as nuts, though it can readily be comprehended that raisins or other forms of whole or cut up fruit or in fact any suitable edible may be applied. Likewise, I refer to the coating as chocolate coating, though it can also be comprehended that any sugary coating or other coating whatsoever may be used without departing from the spirit of the invention. Similarly, the method and apparatus may be used with cakes and other edibles as well as candy bars.

My invention proper consists of an apparatus or a machine which I have indicated in its entirety at A. This machine includes a belt or conveyor B which may be the delivery belt of the enrobing machine used for coating the candy bars or a separate belt receiving the bars from the enrobing machine after the same have been covered with the desired coating. superimposing this belt is a cylinder C arranged to receive apportioned quantities of nuts from a nut feeding device D and to discharge the same upon the candy bars which I have designated at E during the travel of the conveyor 8 below the cylinder C. In conjunction with the other parts of the machine a chocolate feeding device is employed which is designated at F and which coats the nuts prior to their application to the candy bars. Theframe of the invention consists of a main frame G which includes a part of the supporting structure for the conveyor B and which carries an auxiliary frame H in which the cylinder C is journaled. These parts will now be described in detail.

The main frame G of the machine consists of two end frame members it and i6 having spaced upstanding legs ill and l8 and formed with'base portions l9 adapted to rest upon a table or other supporting structure on which the machine is to be carried. This frame supports the conveyor B and also the auxiliary frame in which the cylinder C is journaled. 1 I

The conveyor B consists of a belt 26 which is preferably of a width equal to the entirewidth of the machine between the two end frame members l5 and I6 and on which candy bars E directly rest. This belt rides upon a metal plate 3| of the full width of the frame which metal plate is car- 50- ried on longitudinal angle bars 22and 23 secured to the endfram'e members I5 and it through bolts 24. Suitable transverse angles 25 arranged at suitable intervals support the plate 26 laterally thereof." As the belt 25 travels over the plate 2 I, the said belt isheld in fixed elevation so that the nuts or other edibles may be placed upon the candy in its passage through the machine.

Associated with the main frame G is the auxilliary frame H previously referred to. This frame, similar to the frame G, consists of two end frame members 26 and 21 which are held in spaced relation through four stay bolts 28, 29, 3E! and 3!. These bolts have nuts 32 and 33 applied to the ends thereof whereby said bolts may be rigidly attached to the end frame members 25 and 21"t0 form'a substantial and rigid frame structure. The end frame members 26 and 2'! have guide'blocks 34 which are constructed with tongues 35 '(Fig. 7), adapted to slide in grooves 36 formed in thetwo uprights IT and I8 of the end frame members l5and it of the main frame G.- By means vof this construction the entire cylinder which is carried by the'frame H and the associated structuresare slidably supported for movement toward and from the conveyor B so that the device may be used in conjunction with candy bars of different height.

For supporting the frame G the two frame members 26 and 2'! of frame H are provided with outwardly extending flanges 31 which are bored as indicated at 38 to receive adjusting screws 39. These screws are attached to bars 452 through pins ll, which bars are themselves secured to the upper ends of the legs H and ill of framemembers l5 and I6 through cap screws 42. Two nuts 43 and 44 one for each screw and disposed on opposite sides of the flange 3? are threaded on the screws 39 and serve to raise and lower the entire frame H with respect to the frame G upon rotation of said nuts and further serve to hold the parts in rigid position.

As previously stated, the frame H supports the cylinder C. This cylinder consists of a cylindrical shell 33 of substantial thickness which is carried by two circular flanges 44 and 45. The flanges 44 and 55 have shoulders 46 and 41 formed therein for the reception of the shell 43 and are attached thereto through cap screws 63. At the centers of these flanges are secured stub shafts 58 and 5! which are concentric with the shell 33 and which serve to rotatably support the cylinder proper. These stub shafts are threaded into the flanges 44 and 35 to form a rigid construction and are journaled in bearings 52 and 3 formed in the blocks 3 of frame members 26 and 21. The shaft 5! extends outwardly beyond the machine proper and has attached to it a sprocket wheel M or some other suitable power transmission device whereby the cylinder may be rotated in the operation of the machine.

In the cylinder C are arranged a number of radial pockets 5'5 situated in longitudinally extending rows circumferentially disposed about the cylinder. The distance apart of these pockets is equal to the transverse spacing of the candy bars on the belt Zil and the circumferential spacing of the rows of pockets is equal to the longitudinal spacing of the bars on said belt. Nuts are discharged from the nut feeding device D to these pockets, which nuts are subsequently coated with chocolate from the device F and thereafter discharged from said pockets and upon the candy bars at the proper moment the candy bars are passing beneath said pockets. This is all accomplished through a suitable discharge mechanism which will now be described in detail.

In each of the pockets 55 is disposed a plunger which is operated in timed sequence with respect to the operation of the conveyor B. Inasmuch as all of these plungers are identical, only one will be described in detail, which is illustrated in Fig. 10. This plunger isindicated in its entirety at 5&5 and consists of a casting forming a head 83 adapted to substantially extend across said pocket and to slide'radially with respect thereto. This plunger has attached to it a sleeve 5? which is internally threaded to receive an adjusting screw 58. The sleeve 5'! is formed at its outer end with a reduced portion 59 which extends through an opening in said plunger and which is adapted to be held rigidly attached thereto through a lock nut BB. The end of the sleeve 51 and the nut 69 are so constructed that the same lie flush-with the outer end of the head 83 so that a smooth surface is presented thereon said structure forming a movable bottom for the pocket 55, which, when the parts are arranged as shown in Fig. 10, is completely filled by said plunger.

direction, projectingxinwardly of the bar.

IThepIunge rs 56 of each row are allzconnected to a common operating barQsaid bars being circumferentially arranged and being indicated at 6L: The. adjusting screws 59 previously referred to and which are attached to the plungers 56, are threadedin the bars Gland are held rigidly secured thereto through lock nuts 62. The ends of the bars 6! extend through radial. slots 63 in the flanges 44 and of cylinder C whereby the said bars are guidedfor reciprocating moveinent in a radial direction; eachbar simultaneously operating the "various plungers connected thereto;

' *The bars 6! are urged outwardly through a number of compression coil springs 64, there being two of such springs for each bar, saidsprings being applicable to thebars near the opposite ends thereof. Such. springs being identical for all the bars, only 'one thereof will be described, which is shown in detail in Fig. 10. 'This spring encircles a bolt fi5 which is slidably mounted in said bar and extends through-the same in a radial The spring 64 is seated at one end against the inner surface of said bar and at its other end against the head iifi of bolt 55 and when said bolt is held from movement, operates to force the bar in an outward'direction urging the plungers 56 into ejecting position. For varying the spring tension asleeve filisemployed which extends through the shell 43 of cylinder '0 and is formed with a head 68 seated against said cylinder. This sleeve is internally threaded to screw upon the threaded endof bolt 65 and operates to'move said bolt longitudinally when the sleeve is rotated. The shank of the bolt 65 where the same passes through the bar BI is preferably formed square and the hole in the bar SI for the reception thereof islikewise formed square so as to prevent rotation of the bolt when the sleeve 61 is rotated. The head 68 of this sleeve is similar to the lock nut'fill and is socketed in the shell 43 so'as to lieflush with the outer surface of the cylinder proper.

As will be noted in Figs. 3 and 4, the plungers ".iii are moved along the pockets thereof to open said pockets at the appropriate time toreceive the nuts from the nut feeding device D and the chocolate from the. device E and to discharge the coated nuts from thepockets as the said pockets pass over the candy bars traveling along on the belt ill. This is accomplished as follows: Atthe two ends of each of the bars iii are moun ed rollers 19 and Ti best shown in Fig. 5, which are adapted to engage corresponding internal earns 12 and 1'3 formed on the end frame me1nbers'26 and 21. These cams are identical in construction excepting that one is right handed and the other is left handed. Therefore, only cam 13 will be described in detail; Cam i3 is constructed witha circular track 14 whose center is concentric with the aXisof the cylinder C extending from a locality indicated at 15 to a locality indicated at 76. Said cam is further formed with a portion indicated at T! which extends abruptly outwardly from the circular portion-l4 along a steep spiral terminating at apoint indicated at 18. At this point, the cam spirals gradually inwardly along a portion 19 thereof until it meets the circular portion 74 at the locality I6. By means of this cam and through the springs (54 which urge therollers 1| outwardly, the plungers 56 are caused to travel as follows: At the locality of the nut feeding device C the plungers are innermost and: the pockets 55 are fully.::open. .to

receive the:nuts dischargedinto the same. The same remain open throughout themovementrof saidpockets past the chocolate coating device and to a-position immediately above the candy bars on the belt 26. -As the rollers H pass. along the portion ll of :the cams. the plungers are quickly forced outwardly causing. the contents of the pockets 55 to be discharged upon the candy bars immediately underlying the same. The rollers are then gradually. forced inwardly during thetravel of the plungers from theiralowermost position and to a position immediatelyiin advance'of the nut feeding device D, after which the saidplungersare againcarried through the same cycle of movements.

.For the purpose'of causing the coatednuts to readily leave the-respective plungers, a vibrating device is employed which is best shown in Figs. 11 and 2. At the lowermost portions of each'of the cams l2 and'13 is provided. an inwardly ex-, tending ear'KQ which is formed with upwardly directed serrations 8|. This ear is located along theportion 19 of the cam immediately following the locality 18 thereof. These serrations are adapted to be engaged by a steel prong 82 secured to theends of the bar 6 I. As the bars travel, the serrations 8| reciprocate the plungers rapidly into and out of the correspondingpockets which causes the coated nuts which :might otherwise adhere to theplungers 563cc be freed therefrom and to be discharged upon the candy bars.

The nut feeding device D comprises a hopper which is indicated in its entirety at 84. This hopper consists of two. sides 85 :and 86 which flare outwardly and which are connected through ends ill-best. shown in Figs; 3 and 6. The side .15 reaches down to the outer surface of the shell 43 of cylinder C while the other side 84 is formed with a vertical portion 81 and a radial portion 88, the latter reaching down to the surface of the shell 43.0f said cylinder. The radialportionLBB is formed with a shoe 89 which overliesa'portion of the surface of the cylinder C and the cir' cumferential extent of which substantially equals the circumferential extent of the. various pockets 55. This shoe prevents the nuts from spilling out of the pockets as the same are being filled in the same. The hopper 84 is supported on the frame structure H through an angle bar 90 which is formed with two legs 9i and 92. The leg Qllrests upon the two. end frame members 26 and-21 of the frame H; and is attached thereto through bolts93. The other leg 9| of said anglebar is riveted to. the side 85. Said. hopper is further attached to the frame H through a Z-shaped member 94 which is formed-with a web 95 resting upon the frame members 25, and 21 and securedthereto through bolts 96. This member is formed with a. flange 9'! which is riveted to the and is further? formed with another flange 98 which extends about the corners of the two frame members Zfiand 2?. :Attached to the-two members 9!! and 94 are two castings SS and I00 which fill up thespace between said members and the hopper proper and. which are attached to the upper portions of the frame membersi26 and 2'1 throughb'olts lill. i 1

Within the interior of the hoppcr 8'6 and atthe lowermost portion thereof is provided a feed roller 102 which closes the lower end of said roller and which is shown in detail in Fig. 9. This roller is constructed substantially solid excepting for a mimber-of openings W5 formed therein and is I 32. These shafts I 3| and I32 are journaled in bearings I33 and I34 formed on the undersides of the two castings 99 and I00 previously referred to. The roller I02 is driven from a gear 233 forward on the flange 45 of cylinder C, which gear meshes with a pinion 234 secured to the stub shaft I32. The casting I00 is constructed with a raised portion I35 which forms'a housing for the reception of the pinion 234 so that the said pinion is completely enclosed within the machine proper.

The'roller I02, as stated, is formed with openings I05 which extend completely across the same and which are disposed longitudinally with respect to the roller in conformity to the pockets on the cylinder C. In each of these openings are disposed two plungers I06 and I0'I which are spaced from the outer periphery of the roller I02 to form oppositely disposed pockets I03 and I04. These pocketsare of substantially the same circumferential and longitudinal dimensions as the pockets 55 in cylinder C and the depth thereof may be adjusted to conform to the depth of said last named pockets through an adjusting mechanism now to be described in detail. Between the two plungers I00 and I0! is disposed a spindle I08 formed at one end with left handed threads and at its other end with right handed threads. This spindle is screwed in the plungers I06 and I0! and operates upon rotation in one direction to move said plungers radially outwardly and upon rotation in the opposite direction to move said plungers inwardly. Intermediate the ends of this spindle is provided a grooved collar I09 which is adapted to receive a set screw I I0 threaded into the wall structure of the roller I02. This set screw is formed with a reduced end I II which fits into the groove I I2 of collar I09 and which maintains the two plungers I06 and I0! centrally disposed with respect to the roller I02 and at the same time holds the spindle I00 from movement. When it is desired to vary the capacities of the pockets I03 and I04, the same may be accomplished by loosening the set screw H0 and by rotating spindle I08 in one direction or another.

The various pockets I03 disposed along the roller I 02 are spaced from one another to correspond to the spacing of the pockets 55. This is best shown in Fig. 6. To cause the nuts to feed into these pockets a number of dividers are employed which are disposed between the same which are indicated at II3. Each of these dividers consist of two side walls I I4 and I I5 which are curved to fitabout the periphery of the roller and which have portions H6 and II! extending at the sides of the roller and portions H8 extending beneath the roller, all as clearly indicated in Fig. 9. The upper ends of these walls converge as illustrated at [I0 and I so as to direct the nuts to either sidethereof, these p ortions being wedged so as to offer a minimum obstruction to the movement of the nuts. These dividers separate the nuts entering the various pockets so that all of the nuts contained within the hopper 83 may be eventually I delivered into the pockets, there being no places in the feeding device in which nuts may lodge.

To prevent nuts passing between the roller I02 and the side 85 of the hopper 86, said roller is positioned sufficiently close to said side. In the movement of the roller, the roller travels upwardly with respect to this side of the hopper and any nuts lying between said roller and side would be raised and loosened so that it would be impossible to have the nuts broken or injured at such locality. On the other side of the roller, a difierent situation arises and to prevent injury to the nuts, I

employ a brush I2I which forms a yieldable wall extending up to the opposite side of the roller I02. This brush includes a brush block I22 which is attached to the vertical portion 81 of the side 85 of hopper 84 through screws I23. This block is coextensive with the length of the hopper 84 and is formed with an upper beveled surface I24 continuous with the inclined surface of the side 86 of said hopper. Issuing outwardly from the lower portion of the brush block I22 are bristles I25 which contact with the surface of the roller I02 and which are adapted to yield to irregularities caused by the nuts disposed in the pockets I03 and I04 projecting outwardly beyond the surface of said roller. The bristles I25 completely fill the entire space between the various dividers I I 3, being absent at the locality of said dividers and between the pockets I03.

Themachine if desired may be used to simultaneously apply diiferent kinds of nuts or different substances. For this purpose a number of partitions I20 and I21 are employed which are attached to certain of the dividers H3 and which extend from the two sides 35 to 06 of the hopper 84 and divide the same into several compartments I20, I29 and I30. The different nuts or other substances employed, may be placed in these various compartments and maintained segregated throughout the operation of the machine.

The roller I02 is timed with respect to the cylinder C so that the nuts received within the pockets I03 and I04 are discharged into the various pockets 55 of said cylinder as said pockets travel beneath the nut feeding device. This is accomplished by the selection of the proper ratio between two gears I 30 and I33.

As the pockets are filled the same travel beneath the chocolate feeding device F which is best shown in Figs. 3 and 4. This device consists principally of a hopper I formed with a discharge nozzle I36 adapted to feed the chocolate upon the periphery of the cylinder C. This hopper and nozzle are preferably constructed as one structure having two sides I36 and I3! which converge to form a constriction constituting the nozzle I36. Two ends I38 at the extremities of the sides I35 and I 37! enclose the hopper.

The hopper I38 of nozzle I36 is of slightly less width than the cylinder C. This hopper is supported upon the frame H in much the same manner as the nut feeding device 84. For this purpose two angles I 50 and I5I are employed which are secured to said hopper and which are adapted to be attached to the sides I36 and I 31 thereof and to the top and edges of the two end frames 26 and 2'! through bolts I52. Suitable castings I53 are also employed which fill in the space between these angles so as to effect complete closure for the upper part of the machine.

For the purpose of reclaiming and removing the surplus chocolate from the nuts, a device is employed which will now be described in detail. This devices includes a shoe I30 which is disposed adjacent the nozzle I36 and follows about the periphery of the cylinder C for an appreciable distance. This shoe has attached to the lower end thereof an arcuate wire screen I40 which extends to within a short distance of the lowermost part of the cylinder. A case I4I encloses this screen and is constructed with a circumferential wall I42 and with two radially extending walls I45 and I46 extending up to the periphery of the drum. This case terminates in a shoe I41 similar to the shoe I39 and prevents the coated nuts from leaving the various pockets I through the chocolate feeding device 135 and the surplus chocolate removed therefrom through aoqa . 55 until the discharge thereof is desired. a A drain 148 in the case I II serves to-conduct-away the; surplus chocolate which is collected in said case.

through the screen I46. The entire reclaiming. .device including the shoe'l39,and the case I is; mounted. on the two end plates 26 and 21 of and the case MI. Bylmeans of this construction the nuts are completely coatedv with chocolate .screen I40 and discharged intocasel lllwhere l the same may be led away from the device through the drain M8. The nuts on leavingthe device .are hence completelycovered with. afsuitable ,coating of chocolate so that waste of chocolate flis greatly reduced. p

Thehot chocolate or other coating may be dissame may be filled into said hopper manually.

charged into the hopper through a pump ,-or; the;

Where a pump is used the hopper may, if desired,

be dispensed with and the chocolatadischarged directly into a suitable nozzle providedfonthe For the purpose of chine the structure used inconjunction with the two feeding devices 54 and I35 are employedwhich completely cover the top of the machine' In x .I55 are utilized which are attached to the vertical edges of the two end framesifi and 21.

addition to this construction, two plates I54 and These plates are secured to said frame members through bolts I58 and are formed with lap joints I 5'! adapted to overlie the-branch 9S of .member 94 p and the corresponding portion of the angle WI. H In .additionthe lowermost portions. of the frame members 26, 2,7, I 5. and I6 overlap. so that the :ends of, the machine are. completely closed, for :all positions of the frame H relative to theframe G By means of this construction the entirev device is enclosed particularly at the (upper por-.. ,tionsg thereof sothat the heat of the chocolate 9 maybe retained orderto prevent solidification of-the same in the operation of thernachine.

. .Toassist in maintaining; the chocolate at. the

proper temperature, heating means may be employedwithin the compartment, 1.60 formed with- 11iniithe closure previously .described. 4 ,Such heating means consists; of fourpipes I6I,-I 62, 1I63; and

I 64; connected togetherwithin the compartment;

I60 through suitable pipe -bends I65 and I66.

These various pipesj extend through the end frame member 26 and the two pipes I6I and I62 have attached to them elbows I67 and I68, while the two pipes I63 and I64 have attached to them ties I69 and Ill. These various fittings. are connccted in two pipes I1! and I12 which may be connected with a source of steam so that suitable heating fluid may be conducted to the said pipes to heat the space within the machine chocolate is removed and upon reaching the lowermost portion of cylinder C, the nuts are discharged therefrom through the action of the ing material may be employed.

enclosing the entire maplunger- 56, @as previously explained. a The cylin- :same passbeneath the. machine. As the plungers are vibrated 7 through the mechanism provided thenutsare completely removedtheref-rom and frame H through brackets I 49 which are bolted to saidend plates and secured to theshoe 439 deposited upon thefcandy, bars in the desired manner. p As previously; brought out, i the machine maybe used on cakes or other confections. Likewise fruits or pieces thereof or other edible s may be used in the place of nuts. and any form of. coat- My invention ishighly advantageous. that an extremely effective and simpledevice isprocured for [performing the various functionsldesired. With my invention coated nuts .can.;be positively applied to the candy bars and without the use of a great amount of manual labor. The machine is continuous in operation and is economical in theconsumption of chocolate or other coating material. The machine may be. used uscdfor applyingany suitable form of solid. sub 10 stance to a coated object. The device may be with different kinds of nutslat' thesame time.

and the quantity of nuts may be regulated through the. adjusting device of the plungjers operating in the pockets" of the feedanddelivery mechanisms: The machine is readily accessible. and the parts maybe easily ,inspecteduand repaired as ao occasion demands. e

I claim: v v

1. The methodofapplyingnuts to candy. bars whichconsists in coating the candy bars, inseparately coating the nuts, and in applying; the35 coated nuts to the candy bars before the coating of the candy bars has become set.

' 2. The method of applying nutsto candy bars which consists in arranging the nuts in predetermined formation, in applying:.tl1e. coatingr IIQL4 the; arranged nuts and in transferring the coated nuts substantially in 1 arranged formation to the candybars and'causi ng thez f ormed nuts to. adhereto the .candy bars in such position.

3. An apparatus for applyingflnuts tocandy v bars comprising a support for; the candy bars] means for guiding said supportfor movement at a fixed elevation a frame, a nut feeding device carried by said frame and adapted to discharge the nuts upon the candy bars, guidemeans for,

for holding said frame in adjusted position with respect to said support.

4. An apparatus for applying nuts to candy bars comprising a cylinder having pockets therein, means for filling said pockets with nuts, plungers in said pockets for ejecting the nuts therefrom, a common operating member for moving a plurality of said plungers and individual adjustable vconnecting members between said operating member and each of said plungers for procuring individual adjustment of each of the plungers with respect to its pocket.

5. An apparatus for applying nuts to candy bars comprising a cylinder having pockets therein, means for filling said pockets with nuts, plungers in said pockets for ejecting the nuts therefrom, means for causing the outward movement of said plungers to effect the ejection of the nuts from said pockets and means for vibrating said plungers'to free the nuts therefrom,

6. An apparatus for applying nuts to candy bars comprising a frame, a cylinder journaled in 1 said frame and having pockets therein for the reception of nuts, a hopper attaching means for removably attaching said hopper to said frame in a position to discharge nuts into saidpockets, a roller in said hopper for feeding the nuts therefrom and into the pockets of said cylinder, means for supporting said roller from said hopper said roller being removable with said hopper and serving to form a bottom for the hopper to retain the nuts therein upon removal of the hopper from said frame.

'7. An apparatus for applying nuts to candy bars comprising a frame, a cylinder journaled therein and having pockets for the reception of nuts, a feeding device for feeding a liquid coating to the nuts in said pockets and a perforate member following about the periphery of the cylinder for draining off surplus liquid coating from I nuts in said pockets, a perforate member following about the periphery of the cylinder for draining 01f surplus liquid coating from the nuts as the pockets of the cylinder are moved past the same and a receptacle comiected with said perforate member for receiving the liquid passing through the same.

9. The method of applying nuts to candy bars, which consists in coating the candy bars at one locality, coating the nuts at another locality, transferring the coated bars to the locality of coating of the nuts and in directly transferring the coated nuts to the coated candy.

I 10. An apparatus for applying nuts to candy bars comprising a member having pockets for the reception of nuts, means for feeding nuts into said pockets, means for applying a coating to the nuts while in said pockets, means for discharging the nuts from said pockets and means for bringing candy bars up to said nut discharge means and for removing the bars therefrom, said discharge 7 means functioning to deposit the coated nuts j upon the candy bars during the discharge thereof. I

11. An apparatus for applying nuts to candy bars comprising a fixed member, a frame member detachable from the other of said members, means for securing said uprights to the other member, a support for candy bars movable along said fixed member at a predetermined elevation, and a nut feeding device carried by said frame for discharging nuts upon the candy bars, the adjustment of said frame through said uprights serving to vary the elevation of the locality of the discharge of the nuts from the nut feeding device.

12. A nut feeding device comprising a hopper,

bristles tangentially engaging the periphery of a said roller.

13. An apparatus for applying nuts to candy bars comprising a cylinder having pockets therein, means for filling said pockets with nuts,

plungers in said pockets for ejecting the nuts therefrom, said pockets being arranged in longitudinally extending rows, a bar within said cylinder extending along each row of pockets, screws between said bars and the corresponding plungers for adjusting the capacity of said pockets and means for bodily moving said bars in a radial direction.

14. An apparatus for applying nuts to candy bars comprising a frame, a cylinder journaled in said frame and having pockets therein for the reception of nuts, plungers in said pockets for ejecting the nuts therefrom, means for causing said plungers to move outwardly when the pockets approach the underside of the cylinder, and means for vibrating said plungerswhen the plungers are in ejecting position.

15. An apparatus for applying nuts to candy bars comprising a frame, a cylinder journaled in said frame and having pockets therein for the reception of nuts, plungers in said pockets for ejecting the nuts therefrom, cams on said frame for causing said plungers to move outwardly when the pockets are on the underside of the cylinder and projections on said cams for causing a vibratory movement of said plungers when the plungers are in ejecting position.

FRANK A. MARTOCCIO. 

